The Daily

How Brittney Griner Became a Political Pawn

Jul 6, 2022

Michael Crowley, a diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times, provides keen insights into Brittney Griner's alarming detention in Russia. He discusses the emotional gravity of Griner's plea to President Biden, where she expresses fears of indefinite imprisonment. The complexity of her case is highlighted, including the challenges of negotiating her release amid U.S.-Russia tensions. Crowley also explores the potential implications of a controversial prisoner exchange involving a notorious arms dealer, making Griner a potent political symbol.

29:36

Creator website

Episode guests

Michael Crowley

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Complexities of Griner's Detention

10min

Negotiating Griner's Release

5min

The Shadowy World of Arms Trafficking

2min

The Complexities of a Potential Prisoner Exchange

2min

Brittney Griner's Detention and Diplomatic Dilemmas

10min

Brittney Griner, the American W.N.B.A. star who has been detained in Russia since February, recently sent a letter to President Biden. “I’m terrified I might be here forever,” she wrote.

The White House vowed to use “every tool” to bring Ms. Griner back to the United States, but organizing her release is a tricky proposition, complicated not least by Washington’s break with Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

Guest: Michael Crowley, a diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times.

Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter.

Background reading:

Brittney Griner has endured months in a Russian prison and faces the threat of years more.
Her letter to Mr. Biden asked him to keep her case in mind. “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home,” she wrote.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.